Programme

Name	Economics and Finance of Aging
school	Economics and Management
Language	English
Start	September
Duration	One year
Title	Master of Science (MSc)
Keywords	Aging related economic issues, Pensions, Investment Analysis, Savings and Consumption, Retirement and Labor Force Participation
Bachelor’s program with direct access	Economics, Econometrics and Operations Research, International Business, Business Administration, Actuarial Sciences
Premaster’s program	Yes, for university graduates
Tracks	Based on excellent research of Societal Top Institute Netspar Aimed at a professional career in the insurance and pension sector or the public sector. Strong network of international partner organizations Research positions available (through additional research Master's program)
After graduation	Insurance companies, pension funds or other organizations working on pensions, aging, retirement, health economics, etc.; PhD track and further orientation on research career.

The aging of the population raises numerous economic issues and policy questions at the level of individuals and households, for firms and financial institutions such as pension funds and insurance companies, and at the level of the national and world economy.

Broad perspectives with focus on economic aspects of aging

This MSc program offers a broad overview of economics (and even beyond), with a focus on aging related issues. Topics include:

Macroeconomics of Aging
Labour Force Participation and Retirement
Investment Analysis
Health Insurance and Health Care

To address the macro-economic and institutional issues, it is necessary to understand how incentives created by pensions and social insurance affect the behavior of individuals and households, such as their labor force participation and their consumption and savings decisions. All developed countries are trying to improve their specific system. Understanding of the implications of the design of such systems and their consequences for all aspects of pensions, retirement, human capital and saving will be one of the main features of this MSc program.

Micro, macro, finance, and empirical research

Students receive a solid and broad scientific training in the macroeconomics, microeconomics and finance of aging and pensions. In addition, students learn how economic theories can be tested and economic models can be estimated empirically to establish their value for decision making by financial institutions and government policy.

Students very satisfied with this program

Students of the MSc Economics and Finance of Aging are very satisfied with the education and lecturers of their program. According to recent student evaluations, students find the MSc interesting and challenging. They appreciate the interaction with the lecturers and the good support, and they value the internships.

'During morning class we learn theory, which we apply to existing problems in the afternoon. The program combines financial and economic issues in a unique way, which helps to look at all economic problems from different perspectives. A big plus of the program is that the distance between lecturers and students is very small.'Michiel Geurts, student

Internship applies theory to practice

An internship* forms a unique and important element of the program. You will write your Master’s thesis based on this internship. Netspar will arrange a suitable internship for you.

‘During your internship you get a good insight in the practical side of the pension business and you receive good feedback on your progress’ Siert Jan Vos, completed an internship at the Social Insurance Bank (SVB.)

* International students do not need a work permit for the internship.

Based on excellent research of Netspar

The program is based on the research of Netspar, an international network for research and education affiliated with the School of Economics and Management at Tilburg University. The network stimulates research and education in the economics and finance of aging to stimulate social innovation.

The partners who participate in this network are the major Economics and Business faculties of the Dutch universities, several ministries and other public sector organizations such as Stichting GAK, Ortec and SVB, and a number of pension funds and insurance companies in the private sector, such as ABN-AMRO, ING, ABP, PGGM, Fortis ASR, and Interpolis.

Many students do an internship at one of the partner institutions. The Netspar partners have clearly indicated that they need national and international graduates of the MSc Economics and Finance of Aging.